The Ultimate Poker Face

It’s not about a slight of hand or the ability to read a deck of cards; the key to winning a poker tournament is having a straight face, never letting your opponent know where you stand. Understanding this, it is not hard to see how the newfound friendship between cosmetic surgeons and gamblers makes a winning combination. “Pokertox”, the latest trend for card players, utilizes Botox Cosmetic to free their face from the emotional signs of a good or bad hand.

Last year, New York physician Dr. Jack Berdy, decided to take a gamble on his poker playing patients. Knowing the best players train themselves to suppress any facial signals that might tip off other card players, Dr. Berdy saw an opportunity to use Botox and facial fillers as a way to enhance the “poker face”. Essentially paralyzing muscles around the eyes and forehead with botulinum toxin injections, gamblers can have get three to four months of a smooth face from a simple, painless, 15 minute office visit.

Dr. Berdy recognizes the unconscious facial signals his patients can make; every one of these can show signs of concern, worry, stress, as well as excitement. At their consultation, poker playing patients will confide in Dr. Berdy about their tell-all expressions. After a couple quick injections, the gamblers can leave with clear expressions, but still look natural enough not to tip off others to their secret cosmetic weapon. “Pokertox” is now a steadily growing trend across the country, as gamblers realize they can obtain an easy advantage over their competition.

Adding poker players to a cosmetic surgeon’s cliental is just part of a larger jackpot, the growing number of men looking to improve their appearance. Guys make up about 9% of all cosmetic surgery patients, up nearly 12% from 1997, and this number is growing by leaps and bounds every year. Seeking a variety of procedures, from liquid facelifts to fat transfers, men are beginning to understand the age defying benefits they can find at their surgeon’s office. “Pokertox” simply makes up another million dollar reason for men (and women) to visit their cosmetic surgeon; because in the words of Lady GaGa, “You can’t read my poker face!”